On April 13, 1998, during the first period of a game against Buffalo (and goaltender Dominik Hasek), Flyers winger John LeClair picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and crossed the blueline. He decided to fire a blast against the “Dominator.” And he was successful, scoring his 50th goal of the season for the third consecutive time. Since that game, there have been 44 instances of an NHL player cracking the 50 goal mark. None of them have been as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers.
The list is obviously led by Alex Ovechkin but also includes the likes of Pavel Bure, Jaromir Jagr, Jerome Iginla, Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos, Leon Draisatl and Auston Matthews among others (and Jonathan Cheechoo). Yet the closest the Flyers have come since LeClair was Jeff Carter who scored 46 in 2008-09 and Simon Gagne who potted 47 in 2005-06.
In their history, the Flyers have had players crack the 50-goal mark on 12 occasions. Six players have done the feat, with LeClair the last Flyer to do it. But he did it over three consecutive seasons: 51 in 1997-98, 50 in 1996-97 and 51 in 1995-96. Prior to that, Mark Recchi scored 53 goals in 1992-93. The Flyer with the most seasons hitting 50 is Tim Kerr. Kerr had four consecutive seasons surpassing the plateau, hitting 58 goals on two different occasions (1986-87 and 1985-86) and 54 the other two years (1984-85 and 1983-84). Reggie Leach hit the mark twice, scoring 50 in 1979-80 and 61 (the team record) in 1975-76. Philadelphia actually had two 50-goal scorers in 1975-76 as Bill Barber hit 50 the same season. Finally, Rick MacLeish was the first Flyer to score 50 back in 1972-73. You’ll notice two of the biggest names related to the Flyers (Bobby Clarke and Eric Lindros) were never part of that elusive club. Lindros hit 47 in 1995-96 while Clarke hit his career high of 37 in 1972-73.
So, with the streak almost nearing a three-decade drought, maybe it’s time to think the 50-goal mark will be broken at some point in the not-too-distant future. It’s hopeful to believe that streak could be stopped by a Flyer currently on the roster, and there are a few who could certainly have a realistic chance at that number. Here then is a breakdown of the current Flyers roster (and some blue-chip prospects in the pipeline) who could be the next 50-goal scorer in Philadelphia.
Non-starters: Nic Deslauriers, Garnet Hathaway, Christian Dvorak, Travis Sanheim, Jamie Drysdale, Egor Zamula, Cam York, Rasmus Ristolainen, Nick Seeler, Noah Juulsen, Dennis Gilbert.
We’re pretty sure that unless any one of those eight defensemen become possessed by the ghost of Paul Coffey or Bobby Orr that no Flyers blueliner will come close to 50 goals. We can also guarantee that enforcer Nic Deslauriers (53 career NHL goals), bottom-sixer (and penalty killer) Garnet Hathaway (75 career NHL goals) are going to turn on the jets and begin potting goals left and right. And Christian Dvorak will help, but we doubt very much he’s in the realm of 50 goals. Heck, I think most would be happy or ecstatic with a 20-goal output on a one-year contract. So while these players each bring their own strengths, none of them have that talent or skill level to come within the ballpark of 30 goals. 50 goals? Oh hell no!
Long shots: Bobby Brink, Noah Cates, Sean Couturier
Both Brink and Cates had stellar seasons from a personal standpoint. Cates played his way into a great and team-friendly contract while Brink went from having a phobia of checking to becoming one of the team’s better battlers one-on-one and in the corners. Brink is probably, on a career year, a 25-goal to 30-goal scorer the way things are panning out for him. Meanwhile Cates is probably in the same realm as Brink, with 30 goals for what will likely be middle-six to bottom-six center. Cates hitting 30 goals would probably be his personal 50-goal mark.
Couturier? While some are hoping he doesn’t diminish and become more of fourth-line center playing third-line minutes, he still might have something to give. Particularly if he can develop a bit of synergy with far younger linemates (be it Owen Tippett, Matvei Michkov or someone else). However, unless he developed into Wayne Simmonds with a slew of power play goals in close, it’s probably realistic that Couturier nears or just gets to the 20-goal plateau. So in short, these three players might hit 60 to 70 goals, but combined, not by themselves.
Possibly in the ballpark: Travis Konecny, Trevor Zegras, Jett Luchanko
We’re getting a little warmer now. Konecny had two 30-goal seasons (31 and 33) heading into the 2024-25 season. Many expected the winger would be hitting 40 goals and maybe having a boxer’s chance at the magic 50. But Konecny started red hot in last year, then turned ice cold the rest of the way, ending up with 24 goals (his fourth season in his career with 24 goals). Konecny should be looking to make inroads into scoring a bit more. And with more offensive help arriving this season in Trevor Zegras, Konecny could have an outside shot (assuming he stays healthy and the power play improves) at reaching that milestone this year.
As for Zegras, the new guy in town comes with a lot of talent and potential despite having some less than great seasons before heading out of Anaheim. The center (assuming he’s playing down the middle) will be a great playmaker but also knows his way around the net. And around opposing goaltenders. While it’s hopeful he could help Matvei Michkov go to another level in his career, Michkov could also do the same for Zegras. Again, it’s one thing to be the newcomer adjusting to a new team and city. It’s another to see him hit the ground running and end up scoring 50 goals. Not impossible, but a lot of things would have to go right for either Konecny or Zegras to reach the mark.
It would be foolhardy to tie Jett Luchanko’s name with being the next Flyers 50-goal scorer. He’s had 20 goals or more on two occasions in junior. A full rookie season would probably be highlighted with 18 to 20 goals and possibly 45 to 50 points. So believing Luchanko is ready to score roughly 30 goals over his career high is not realistic. At least not right now. Depending on how quickly he develops or how his game matures, the 18-year-old could be in the discussion at some point. But there are probably a few more ahead of him with better chances.
Strong possibilities: Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster* (we’ll explain the asterisk in a minute)
Foerster is still recovering from surgery following the World Hockey Championships. It’s unknown if he’ll be ready to start training camp or if he’s going to be out a few weeks or months to start 2025-26. Obviously missing any length of time would significantly impact — if not snuff out completely — any chance of scoring 50. But assuming he was 100 per cent for the season opener, Foerster has a goalscoring knack for getting them in bunches. At times he can snipe it, roof it or just stickhandle his way around the opposition. Another year under his belt in 2024-25 saw him score 25. So he’d have to double production to get the magic number. Again, health is the biggest concern here, so if he’s healthy he has a chance. If not, it’s a non-starter.
Owen Tippett probably has more to prove this season than any other forward on the Flyers roster. Tippett was streaky, but more often than not the streaks were bad ones. The winger needs to find that goal-scoring touch in 2025-26 if the Flyers are to be knocking on the playoff door. Or knocking the door in. He has it in him to put together goals in a short amount of time. And some of his goals have been the team’s highlight reel goals the last few years (goals against Dallas and St. Louis come to mind). It would almost be of little value to some if Tippett scored 30 goals this season given last year’s disappointment. He would have to hit 35 for it to be a credible, solid, bounce-back season. A 40-goal year and the hiccup that was 2024-25 is in the rearview mirror. 50 goals? Well that contract looks a lot better doesn’t it?
Yes….but when?: Matvei Michkov, Porter Martone
It might never happen in their careers, but judging by the potential both of these players have (and one showing his wares on the NHL level), it’s conceivable that Matvei Michkov gets to the 50 goal mark first, becoming the first since LeClair. Michkov left last season mad, despite scoring 26 goals and leading all rookies. The 26 goals are even more impressive considering the crap power play, the two-game healthy scratch by John Tortorella, and the rather slightly under-used minutes he received over most of the year.
The Mad Russian might have more of a chip on his shoulder this season. The sophomore season often comes with some setbacks. Yet Michkov, according to Briere, is one of the more determined players he’s come across in his years. That’s saying a lot! As well, the addition of Zegras could make scoring goals easier for Michkov. Or get a lot more chances. He’s not afraid of shooting (the 200 shots on goal led Philadelphia), but he’ll need a little bit of puck luck to see him reach 50 goals this season. Or the following year. Simply put, I would hate to bet against him.
Porter Martone has the size, the skill and the size to be one of the (if not the) Flyer who crack the 50-goal ceiling. The sixth-overall pick in 2025, Martone scored 37 goals for the Brampton Steelheads in 57 games in 2024-25. So having missed some time, it’s logical to think he would’ve easily surpassed 40 goals. At 6’3″ and 208, the 18-year-old will add some weight to his frame, making him similar to the 225 to 230 pounds LeClair was in his playing days. Time will be needed to see how far or how quickly Martone comes along before hitting the Flyers roster. We know he’s heading to Michigan State University this year. But Martone is probably the Flyers prospect who, outside of Michkov, will have a legitimate chance to be the next 50-goal scorer for Philadelphia.